Hello! I believe i can answer the differences between a BSN offered by NUS and a diploma in nursing offered by the polytechnics ( and even the certificate in nursing offered by ITE, if you are interested. )

First thing first, what is taught in NUS is basically similiar to what is been taught in polytechnics in terms of core modules.

HOWEVER, they are taught in more further details as compared to the polytechnics (due to them been a degree standing)

what may differ slightly between each insitution would be other areas each insitute wishes to focus on.

You may check out the different program structure each insitute offers, however, they wont differ much as they still need to comply with the Singapore Nursing Board's standards for nursing education.

in terms of career progression. NUS nurses star off one rank higher then the diploma holders (Staff Nurse I). the degree holders also draw a higher salary as compared to the diploma holders.

I shall not go into details on the degree holder starting pay (as accuracy of the information is yet to be comfirmed).

But starting pay for the diploma holders range from $1.5k - $1.8k (verified) depending on several factors. But this pay is only the base pay and it is not taken into account of any allowances (meal, shift) and reimbursments (discipline specific).

Thanks for explaining.
Just wondering if you know the starting pay of a nurse with a degree in nursing?
And with this degree, is it possible to venture into medical tourism?

Thank you.

I did nursing in Polytechnic , then took a degree. That was about 10 years back. Now I am in a different but health related line.

With a nursing registration and the connections, it is possible to venture into medical tourism. Doesn't matter if you have a degree or not. Some nurses already establish themselves in it without even so much of a diploma.

in a nutshell, a nursing degree is a DEGREE whereas a nursing diploma is a DIPLOMA. so you are a graduate with a bachelor of science (possibly with honours) degree if you do nursing. nursing in nus is a new thing, the pioneer batch of nurses are just graduating this year. as a nurse who has a degree you study more in depth into the academics of nursing (with the possibility of doign research), and with this degree you have the opportunities to pursue a futher education in nursing, even up to a doctoral level. In a simple example i would say that in a polytechnic you are taught how to perform a procedure like taking blood pressure, but in a university you are taught the theoretical basis of blood pressure and how affects your nursing practice. so its liek a different level altogether.

there are basically 3 paths to a graduate nurse. you can specialise in clinical nursing, or you can go to the management level or go into teaching. The opportunities are much more diverse and your career progression (including pay) will be higher than nurses with only a diploma. and of course nurses are always in demands, so the career prospects are good.

Overseas, the world is your oyster. There are alot of nurses in other professions like law , information technology and R&D fields.

Nursing is in demand - so if you have caught the travel bug , it will be good to venture into the Middle East , Australia etc to have a look see around. The ME pays well unlike the mediocre pay in Singapore.

Before you decide your future as a Nurse: Just think whether you have patience, attitude to help others. The future of nursing is great. There is a common belief among the public that whenever they think of nurse: They think that they are in the hospital to put bedpan and make over the bed and give food. Those times are gone. Now the NURSING IS A WIDE PROFESSION and they represent the doctors to the patients. If you decide to make your life as nurse: A GREAT DECISION YOU ARE MAKING TODAY.

I suggest: To built up your confidence : Start from ITE itself- Nursing from ITE- Get 3.5 GPA (marks) (if you are career oriented - do not accept any bursary or scholarship)- complete your ITE- You can just walk inside Poly- with diploma (now you know where you are standing- If you can average your GPA to 3.5 or above in the first semester in the Poly- i can assume that you are good in studies- keep up the pace- You can complete your Nursing diploma with an average of 3.7 and above.
Now at the final year- you will get many hospitals on their recruitment drive - just take one of the speciality hospitals and get your bursary for the third year (around 900.00 and you are bonded for one year) Once you finish your third year- you get an option to apply for medicine (in between accumulate your CCA points) YOU MAY GET IT OR MAY NOT GET INTO MEDICINE) if you get it- you can widen your aspirations. Otherwise- you can get Nursing degree (now if you have decided to do nursing- approach your old sponsor with a request for sponsoring for degree- They will do it for you) You get your bursary, tution fees fully paid- You are bonded for three to four years).
If you look into salary difference between poly diploma and degree (it does not vary much - may be maximum 100.00) But if you are a degree holder, your promotion scope is very high and wide career progression. You can further your studies like MBA- specialising in Hospital management or you can go for specialist advance diploma Acute care or emergency medicine. With expereic All the best for those who aspire to become Nurse- GREAT FUTURE WAITS because it is the only field that cannot be AUTOMATED WITH ROBOT WHAT SO EVER.

Nursing is not for you- If you want to work as a normal person 09-05- five days week- saturday sunday off- There will be extended working hours- You have to forget all your coloring of hair and other modern novelties. You cannot sit in a chair and watch your monitor. (in one of the books in read: A nurse actually walks over 12 kilometers a day inside the ward etc) to compare: an air hostess walks more than 14 kilometers in a two way trip to Chicago. Are you ready to walk.
You must have the courage: In times of emergency like Bird flu, Sars, and current H1N1-You are under threat- An army soldier can see his enemy. A nurse cannot see his/her enemy (virus)

A nurse can control and minimise the factors - infection control.

And nurses shouldn't place their lives at risk for others . I have seen nurses who injure their backs , got ill from the hospital bugs ...no compensation nothing.

It is an occupation with a pay. If you want to rescue others when you can't rescue yourself , no point in studying that much to be a martyr.

Everyone has an idea that nurses should sacrifice their well being and health for patients or the entire hospital. That is not the right idea and that is why this job is not in popular demand. Jobs come with occupational hazards and better welfare for nurses is required.

Possible. If u done particularly well in your degree, u can choose to apply to Duke NUS med sch. 4 years MD program.

Or alternatively, post degree, you can apply to overseas medicine degree that require you to have a degree first (UK style of education).

It boils down to what you achieve in your career. Been a dr has its pros and cons. You get the prestige etc etc. However, I have seen to many Drs who crumble along the way of their careers and simply see patients because they have to. To them, they lost the meaning of been a dr.

Of course, I've the pleasure of working with excellent drs who treat fellow nurses with respect, unlike others, who are still living in in the past and thinks that nurses work under drs.

Hello, this year would be my first year in Nursing at a polytechnic. I was shorlisted for an interview for a sponsorship from SGH, and I have to serve a 3year bond upon graduation. I was wondering, what is the salary like upon graduation and what is the increment?

1) Sorry if it's not appropriate to ask this and here, but may i know the pay of a degree holder in nursing? I heard the increments are only $50 to $100?EDIT
I found this website which sort of answered this qtn...i hope it is not too far off...http://www.ncss.org.sg/career/salary.asp

2) I completed A levels and signed up for NYP nursing and at the same time applying for Nursing degree at NUS too. Let's say i enroll in NYP nursing, and decide to be bonded for a sponsorship. If i were to take up the bond at year 1, i will have to be bonded for 3 years. Does the number of years which i receive the monthly allowance correspond with the no. of years i have to serve? What if i only take up the bond at year 2 or 3? Do i still serve a 1, 2 or 3-year bond? Anyone did that?

3) let's say i have a bond with the hospital (be it 1, 2 or 3 years), can i ask for another sponsorship for a degree immediately after the diploma? or at any time during my bond? Has anyone or known anyone who did that?

4) Though there are these ranks on staff nurse II, staff nurse I, senior staff nurse etc to nurse educator/manager director etc, how do you all find the potential prospects of it all, in terms of job scope, and of course money. Bread and butter issue comes in every now and then...It seems like there can be people with nursing background taking up lots of qualifications and earning fine in other areas but i'm curious as to how many people actually do that? Is it true that most nurses are "stucked", esp in Sg?

On the other note, how did you all find coping with shift work? This, i meant the time spent with family (our parents and siblings). I'm worried about this, i just hope to be there and around my parents and family, just there when they grow old and everything...but am worried that when i'm at work they are at home, when i'm home it's their bedtime...and vice versa. I understand nurses just have to work shifts and 6 days, but how are you all coping with this and how has it affected you?